Quick Facts:
Location: Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument – Page, Arizona
Coordinates: 37.112045333941474, -111.68859124489767
Length: 9 Miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 200’
Dog Friendly: Yes
Introduction:
If you’ve ever dreamed of hiking through a place that looks like the set of a sci-fi movie, the Wahweap Hoodoos Trail is calling your name. Located inside the vast Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, this trail dishes up some of the weirdest, coolest rock formations you’ll ever lay eyes on. Imagine towering white hoodoos topped with dark chocolate-brown caps, standing guard like alien soldiers. It’s eerie, it’s beautiful, and it’s absolutely worth the trek.
How to Get to the Wahweap Hoodoos Trail:
Finding the Wahweap Hoodoos isn’t exactly like pulling into a visitor center. You’ll start from Big Water, Utah, which is a tiny town just a few miles north of Page, Arizona. From Big Water, you’ll head north on Ethan Allen Road, a rough dirt road that winds along Wahweap Creek. You’ll need to drive about 4 miles to reach the trailhead. High-clearance vehicles are recommended, especially if it’s rained recently because muddy patches can get tricky fast. Pro tip: check the weather before you go, if there’s any chance of flash floods, skip it. Dry creek beds aren’t so dry when storms roll in.
Parking Information:
Parking is super basic. There’s a small dirt lot at the start of the trail where you can pull off and leave your car. No fancy signs, no fees, no facilities. It’s just you, your ride, and the dusty trail ahead. Make sure you park off the main road and double-check that your car is safely out of the way because local ranchers and service vehicles sometimes pass through.
Description of the Landscape:
The landscape here feels straight-up otherworldly. You’ll hike along a mostly flat, sandy wash with rocky walls looming in the distance. At first, it’s just wide open desert, not much to see. But stick with it. After a couple miles, the hoodoos start popping up like magic. These bizarre white pillars look like giant marshmallows stacked on toothpicks, each topped with a darker rock that seems way too heavy for its skinny base. Some are tall and skinny, others are short and chunky, but they all look like nature’s idea of abstract art. Sunrise or sunset lights up the white rocks with a soft pink glow that’s pure magic.
Trail Difficulty and Length:
This hike isn’t super tough, but it’s no walk in the park either. The Wahweap Hoodoos Trail stretches about 9 miles round trip if you go all the way to the main cluster. It’s flat almost the entire way, but that desert sand can suck the energy right out of your legs. Plus, the lack of shade makes the sun feel about ten times hotter. Bring more water than you think you’ll need, slap on some sunscreen, and pace yourself. It’s a slow, steady kind of trek, more of a long walk than a climb, but definitely a workout.
Can You Bring Your Dog?
You bet. Dogs are allowed on the Wahweap Hoodoos Trail, and it’s a great place to let them stretch their legs. Just be smart about it. Keep your dog leashed, bring extra water for them, and watch out for those cactus patches sneaking along the trail edges. Also, pack out whatever your pup leaves behind.
Rules and Regulations:
Since the Wahweap Hoodoos sit inside Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, you’re hiking on protected land. That means tread lightly. Stay on established trails, don’t climb the hoodoos (even if they’re tempting), and absolutely no rock collecting. Leave everything exactly as you found it so future hikers get the same wow factor you did. And like anywhere in the desert, pack out all your trash, what you bring in, you carry out.
Other Trails Nearby:
If you’re still itching for more after tackling the Wahweap Hoodoos, you’ve got options. Head over to Wiregrass Canyon for a short slot canyon adventure or check out the Buckskin Gulch area for longer, more technical hikes. Both spots offer that jaw-dropping scenery that makes southern Utah and northern Arizona so unforgettable.
Non-Hiking Attractions Nearby:
When your legs are begging for a break, Page offers a bunch of non-hiking fun too. Horseshoe Bend is a must-see with its famous river bend view, and Antelope Canyon delivers some of the coolest light beams you’ll ever photograph. If you’re craving a little water action, Lake Powell’s just around the corner, perfect for boating, swimming, or just dipping your toes in to cool off.
Best Time to Visit:
The best seasons to hike the Wahweap Hoodoos are spring and fall. Summer turns the desert into an oven and winter can bring freezing nights and slippery creek beds. Aim for March through May or September through early November for the best conditions. Hitting the trail early in the morning not only beats the heat but also treats you to that soft, golden desert light that makes the hoodoos glow like something out of a dream.
For those who want to capture these breathtaking views and bring a piece of nature home, Unicorn Adventure offers high-quality nature photography prints. Check out their collection and find the perfect image to remind you of your hiking experience!
